How do you handle holiday stress?

I work too much.  This is our busy time of year, so we go as hard as we can go until Dec 24.

This is actually the first year I not stressed, I was on vacation all last week so I completed my shopping and did all the holiday baking. This is our slowest month at work also (January is the busiest) so it's pretty slow and relaxing. But, I will still do my regular holiday overeating. I go to my mom's house still for the holidays, where I stay for about four days, so it's lots and lots and eating (all junk food) and wine.

I voted "other."

I usually don't get too stressed out about the holidays. Well, in some ways I do, but, for the most part, it was situational anxiety -- worrying about how I'd handle being with my family and what to expect with one member of my family who was abusive. But, this year, some of that is a non-issue (my "stepfather" is out of the picture). However, for whatever reason, I'm feeling more stress this year than usual. And, I can't say I'm handling it all that well. Or, at least, I think I could be handling it better.

This year, money is very tight for those around me. However, that's actually not the case for me. I am making more money than I have in many years. And, that's not me gloating -- I'm working very, very hard and putting in a lot of long hours. But, even though I've been helping others financially (taking on some of the household bills (I have a roommate), buying all of the groceries, paying for my family's medications...) they are struggling. And, it's hurting me to see them hurting. So, in turn, I'm taking on more hours and working so much that I am not taking care of myself. I am not sleeping well, not eating well (missing meals), and I've been very anxious and overwhelmed. I'm happy to help, but I think I need to not lose myself in the process.

I love the holidays and this season, but I think I am almost ready for it to be over. It doesn't seem like Christmas-time to me. Maybe that will change as we get closer to the 25th, but, for now, I will just keep plugging along. Part of the issue is that there is a lot of negativity around me this year. And, I'm taking that on when I really shouldn't be. I'm happy. And, somehow, to be happy when others are miserable seems wrong. But, tomorrow is another day. And, I think, no matter what the stress around me is, I'll make it a good one.

I don't get stressed because I don't get caught up in the madness.

A few years ago, I decided enough was enough.  Kids all grown and on their own.  For years, I made out lists.....everyone had to have an even amount of gifts.  I used to drop my health insurance at this time of the year to give me more money to buy, buy, buy.

Now, my three kids get a check to get something for the whole family.  And it isn't a huge check...it's gotten smaller the last few years.

I now  watch everyone else running around....Black Friday...craziness.  People getting pepper sprayed by other customers to keep them away from the bargain table.

And, also, its so over the top.  Halloween and it's Christmas decorations.  Holiday trees.....you can't say Christmas.  It's lunacy.  It's sad.  The real meaning is somewhere at the bottom of the list.

I have reached the point in my life where simplicity reigns.  We have a nice meal on Christmas and we love being with the kids.  IMO, that is what it is all about....love.

I voted 'other', too.

When things get too crazy, I like to turn on the Christmas tree, turn off all the other lights, light a candle, put on a soothing Celtic cd, maybe grab a cup of coffee or hot chocolate, and forget about the rest of the world for awhile.

I voted "other". I don't really get stressed for the holidays because I love the shopping and the baking. Rick does all the wrapping, so I only have to wrap his things. Probably the worst thing for me is the house-cleaning because I want it really clean since so many people will be here.

Everybody is coming here for Christmas dinner, but that's not even stressful. I have my menu, I have my timeline and all my recipes are printed out and ready to go. I work it out so that I'm not doing anything last-minute....no mashing potatoes, no making gravy. It's all done ahead of time. It just works. (Much to my mom's chagrin.)

Walking is a perfect way to reduce any kind of stress for me.

I have to say that I see a lot of silliness going on around our stores this time of year.  I'm glad we deliver mostly at night, because you run into situations like I did last week in Metairie, LA.  I had to wait almost 30 minutes to pull into our truck maneuvering area while a couple of young ladies tried to get a large plastic "cottage" they had just bought into their little Honda Sport Coupe.

We have had drivers fired for arguing with customers in the parking lot, but man, it's just not worth that kind of grief!

this is my first christmas out of the house and I have to say its been incredibly stressfull. It doesn't help I've been depressed and stressed already because I'm adapting to working nights very well but to add to that, I'm attempting to make everyone's presents this year and at this point I feel like I got myself a little over my head. I have 2.5 out of 6 pairs of fingerless mittens done, I still need to knit 1 felted coin purse, I also have 3 leather keychain/rearveiw-mirror charms I still need to make, a leather mask I need to finish and if I manage to get all that done before Christmas then I need to try to squeeze out another leather mask for another grandparent. I'm on an even stricter timeline too because since my grandparents live in Iowa, I have to make sure I get their presents done before my parents go there for the holidays which they still don't know when they're leaving.    I can just about make one mitten each shift at work but I can't really knit at home unless I want to lock myself away because Chacho is obsessed at eating yarn and has it down to an artform. By the time I swat him away from the yarn he already has it chewed through, I don't know how he's so fast about it. Of course then after swatting away I look back to my work to see several stitches that have fallen from my needle...which adds to stress.

I've been trying to deal with my depression and stress but it hasn't really been working. Even though I can usually muddle through my depression, this time I don't think I am going to be able to without help, soo yesterday I went to the doctor and she prescribed me some antidrepressants. She's just prescribing me a low dosage because I told her that I just need the edge of my depression taken away so I can at least function.

So yeah I guess prescription drugs is how I'm going to be handling the holidays.  I'm hoping once I find a new job and start working normal hours, I'll feel much better and then get off the pills asap.

I voted to much booze LOL!! Its not loads and loads though only a few glasses of red wine/sparkling wine just to relax and enjoy myself, Im stressing a bit at the moment because I need to get another 3 presents and I don't know when to go get them, and I am waiting for a present for my brother to arrive and I have a nasty feeling it wont turn up until after Christmas :( 

But I have a day out in Newcastle planned with the girls I work with next Tuesday and I think i'm going to make that my last shopping day 

I don't really stress because i'm an organiser so everything is in order, but when it's Christmas or any holiday l always eat and drink too much, and i've started now because i've already had 2 christmas meals out with friends in under a week, and another one was booked this morning for the 28th, and another dinner function on New Years Eve and another on the 16th of January.

Just roll me there!! 

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rosiemac 

I don't really stress because i'm an organiser so everything is in order, but when it's Christmas or any holiday l always eat and drink too much, and i've started now because i've already had 2 christmas meals out with friends in under a week, and another one was booked this morning for the 28th, and another dinner function on New Years Eve and another on the 16th of January.

 

Just roll me there!! 

Not much to do then!! 

Quote:

Originally Posted by xocats 

How do you handle your holiday stress?
 

I plan ahead, stay organized, and make lots of lists. I cross through each item when it's done. 

Quote:

Originally Posted by xocats 

 

Quote:

Originally Posted by SwampWitch 

Quote:

Originally Posted by xocats 

How do you handle your holiday stress?
 

I plan ahead, stay organized, and make lots of lists. I cross through each item when it's done. 

 

You sound very organized.....
will you come and take care of my holiday tasks?

I am wayyyyyyy behind.   

 

Lists are the only way to go! All the "to do" things (and what groceries I need to buy) swirl around in my head day and night so when I write them down I can relax and stop thinking about it, knowing that I won't forget anything. All year 'round I have an errand list, grocery list, and "other" list (ex: renew passport, make doctor appointments, bake cookies for bake sale, etc.). At Christmas, the lists get longer and it's even more important to have them or I'd go crazy! Closer to Christmas I will have a daily list, mostly for cooking some things ahead and so I don't forget to make a dish... would definitely happen if I had to depend on my brain remembering everything. I also list menus for Christmas Eve, Day, and Boxing Day, which makes the grocery list a breeze. It's very satisfying to cross off the "done" items.  Try it, hope this helps!

Because the Season became so stressful, we changed the date that we actually celebrate to Jan. 1 .

We can take advantage of the best shopping deals, we stretched out the deadlines to get gifts to loved ones - especially those that live far away.

(The kids get two days to celebrate and receive gifts.) 

We've (adults) found that it's less stressful, and that when Christmas Day is here, we are able to focus on the Reason for the Season better. :)